IRS Slashes Workforce by Half Amid Government Shutdown, Igniting Confusion

The Internal Revenue Service is furloughing over 34,400 employees due to the government shutdown, causing chaos and confusion within the agency as initial plans were reversed.

• On Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service furloughed more than 34,400 of its 74,300 employees, a drastic cut amid the ongoing government shutdown.
• Initially, the IRS planned to keep its entire workforce operational, citing funding from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, but updated its contingency plan unexpectedly.
• The furlough has led to widespread confusion among IRS employees as the agency's operational status changed abruptly during the government shutdown.